The mountain disappeared moments ago,erased in a wash of whitest white, and the farm on the hill is fading like the memory of a daybreak dream.

Wind roars white noise, canceling every other sound; it flings snow sheets left, right, across my window view. ​How does the brown earth disappear when the flakes never seem to land anywhere?

song sparrow: he's heard the forecast, and he's mad about it.

These brutal winter days are hard on "my" birds. They huddle in the lee of the feeder.

During a lull they dash about like children beneath a pinata, only this is a life and death scramble for the seed energy that will carry them through what promises to be the coldest day of the winter so far.

(But tomorrow’s forecast threatens worse conditions.)

A starling has insinuated himself among the usual throng of doves, finches, and song sparrows. ​ I contemplate the comments of hardcore birders about these “introduced” species:

“You will soon have no suet left.”“Highly invasive.”“Not native.”“They take over.”“The dreaded starling.”“Darn pigs.”I imagine fifty birds invading my feeding area, terrifying all the regulars with their pecking and scrapping. That would be a problem. But if starlings were as scarce as January sunburn, I’d be reporting today’s find on important (to birders) websites.

A slight readjustment of perspective clears my vision. I want to see “what is.”

Tiny splashes of glory spangle across iridescent feathers.I am stunned into silent admiration. Breast decorated with more stars than a roomful of generals, coverts outlined in glitter glow, what’s not to love?

If you bring a murmuration of your friends to my seed party, I’ll wave my arms like a crazy cat woman and send you skittering on your glossy tails.

But you, lone visitor,glimmering and glistening like a meteor fallen from the sky, ​please shimmer here a little longer.

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I'm finding my way beyond the maze of the "middle" years (if I'm gonna be 100 and something someday...) ​living life as a country woman who is a writer, gardener, wife, mom, nature observer, teacher,and most of all a much loved child of God.